Party-selecting mechanism for voting-machines.



No. 804,963. S LOB PATBNTED NOV. 2l, 1905.

PARTY SELBGTING MEGHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED P12817, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 804,963. S LOE l PATENTED NOV. 2l, 1905.

PARTY SELEGTING MECHANISM POR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.17.195.

6 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

No. 804,963. S LOE PATENTED NOV. 2l, 1905. PARTY SELECTING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJ?, 1905.

. 6 SHEETS--SHEBT 3.

No. 804,963. S LOB PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

PARTY SELBCTING MECHANISM POR VOTING MACHINES.

[77 ver2/02? Syl/'er .Zoe Jig ap/fnarne s OJWM M@ No. 804,963. S LOE PATENTED NOV. 2l, 1905. PARTY SELECTING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLUATION FILED FBB.17. 1905.

6 SHEETS--SHBET 5.

wiz/Pfam;

No. 804,963. s LO PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. f D.

PARTY SELBGTING MECHANISM POR VOTNG MACHINES.

GSHEBTS-SHBBT 6.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.17. 1905.

UNITED STATES razrnirr orrion.

SYVER LOE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application led February 17, 1905. Serial No. 246,007.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, SYVER LOE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Party-Selecting l /Iechanism for Voting-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. n

My invention relates to voting-machines, and is directed particularly to the improvement of party-selecting mechanism adapted for use at primary elections and elsewhere, such mechanism being broadly set forth and claimed in my prior patent, No. 688,424, of date December 10, 1901.

The improved party-selecting mechanism herein disclosed is shown as applied to a machine of the character disclosed and claimed in my pending application, Serial No. 200,463, filed March 28, 1904, entitled Voting-machine.

The invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a View in front elevation with some parts broken away, illustrating a machine embodying the several features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the machine approximately on the y line m2 x2 of Figs. l and 4. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line x3 rc3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line mi fr* of Fig. 2. Fig. is a View corresponding to Fig. 3, butillustrating a slightly different arrangement of the parts of themachine.- Fig. 6 is a detail in vertical section, taken approximately on the line m w of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 6; and 8 is a rear elevation of the parts shown at the left in Fig. 4, some parts being broken away.

In the drawings many of the parts shown perform thel identical or nearly identical functions of similar parts disclosed in my said pending application above identified, and such parts in so far as practicable are marked with the same numerals that are given to them in said application.

The numeral 1 indicates a case or cabinet formed with a horizontally-extended base 2 and with a removable rear plate 4. lnclosed within the case 1 is a skeleton framework made up, as shown, of a plurality of vertical angle-irons 5, vertical bearing-plates 6, and horizontal connecting-brackets 7. The bearing-plates 6 are located at the front of the machine and are attached to vertically-disposed ticket-holding strips 8. Rigidly secured to the left-hand portion of the left-hand brackets 7 is a vertically-disposed supporting-bar 9.

The registers, which Aare indicated as entireties by the numeral 13, are shown as rigidly secured to a vertically-disposed supporting-bar 14.

The numeral 17 indicates escapement-actuating dogs, only two of which are shown in Fig. 2, the others being removed.

In the machine illustrated there are three columns of the registers 13 above described, and each is carried by a different supportingbar 14. The said registers are acted upon by the escapement-dogs 17 and by the bars 14 in the manner set forth in my said pending application and by means forming no part of my present invention.

The register-actuating slides or keys of which in the machine illustrated there are three vertical columns. are mounted to slide from front to rear of the machine in suitable bearings afforded by the frame-bars and 6. At their forwardly-projecting' ends the actuating-slides 22 are provided with finger-pieces 23, by means of which they may be engaged to pull them forward, and each slide is provided with a cam-lug 25 for action on the escapement-levers 17 to actuate the registers under return movements of the slides. Furthermore, said slides are provided with lockshoulders 26 and with bearing-shoulders 26". Restoring-bars 46, supported by pairs of pai'- allel links 47, pivoted to brackets 48 on the framework, operate on the shoulders 26L in a manner fully set forth in my said pending application to restore the slides 22 to normal positions. At their rear ends the slides 22 are provided with wide-faced racks 27, formed by cutting' parallel slits therein, as best shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 4 slides 22u, which are very similar to the slides 22, are shown. These slides,

like the slides 22, might be employed for primary elections; but forthe purposes of this case they may be treated as performing no function, but simply being held in stationary positions.

For each horizontal row of actuating-slides IOO IOS

IIO

there is an extensible lock-bar made up of non-rotary sections 28 and coupling-sections 29. The coupling-shafts 29 between the abutting sections 28 are provided with spur-pinions 29, and their oppositely-projecting ends are reversely threaded and engage in internal right and left threaded seats in said sections 28. The right-hand section 28 is rigidly secured te one of. the vertical bars 5; but all-of the sections 28 to the left of this fixed section are free to slide endwise through angular seats formed in the other members of the bars 5. An adjustable stop-plunger 30 is provided as an extension to the left-hand member of the sliding sections 28. 'Said plunger, as shown, has a screw-threaded stem 30, that werks in a threaded seat in the said adjacent section 28. Furthermore, said plunger werks through a suitable seat formed in the angle-bar 9 and is provided with a stop-collar 80C, that engages said bar te limit the spreading movements of the sections 28. Each of the racks 27 of the actuating-slides meshes with one of the pinions 29u of the threaded coupling-shafts 29.

As is evident, when one of the slides 22 is drawn forward toits limit the corresponding coupling-shaft 29 will be rotated and the lockbar made up of the elements 28, 29, and 8O will be distended er lengthened out a predetermined distance. /Vhere this distensible bar is applied for use in connection with a horizontal row of actuating-slides which are appropriated to an office te which but one candidate may be elected-such, for instance,

vas the oiice ef governernthe stop-plunger 30 should be so adjusted that one step of mevement imparted thereto by any one of the hori- Zontally-alined slides will bring the stop-collar 8Oo against the flange of the bar 9, and hence lock the other slides of the said horizontal row in normal inoperative positions. In this instance the distensible lock-bar in itself affords a lock or vote-limiting device for the horizontal row of actuating-slides which are assigned to the particular oflice.

For group Voting there is a plurality of distensible lock-bars ofthe character above noted used as primary lock devices, the number of such bars being equal to the number of candidates Who may properly be elected to the particular oiice to which the particular group of lock devices has been assigned. This statement assumes that each vertical column of actuating-slides and associated parts are assigned to different political parties. l/Vhere two such vertical columns are assigned to each political party, there may be selected for a particular ofHce twice as many candidates as there are distensible bars appropriated to the particular group.

For cooperation with the distensible lockbars I provide lock mechanism, herein for distinction termed secondary lock devices and which are arranged to operate en the plan set forth and broadly claimed in my prior United States Letters Patent, No. 712,079, referred to above. This secondary lock mechanism is shown at the left in Fig. et and in rear elevation in Fig. 8. Referring' to the same in detail, the numeral 3l indicates a vertically-disposed non-rotary shaft which is rigidly supported at its ends from the framework of the machine by any suitable means. This shaft is provided with a long key 8l, which runs nearly or quite from end te end thereof. Mounted to slide on said shaft, but held against rotation by said key, is a vertically-disposed series of internally-threaded hubs 82, on each of which is mounted with threaded engagement a pinion 38, that acts as a nut. Slidably mounted on the shaft 3l above, below, and between the hubs 82 are washers 34;.

In the arrangement illustrated each pinion 33 meshes with a segmental gear 35, which is pivoted en a vertical shaft 35 and is connected by a slet-and-pin couplingI 35" to the left-hand section 28 ofthe corresponding` distensible primary lock-bar.

The sliding hubs and gears are separated into groups by adjustable stop-brackets 86, that embrace and hold certain ef the washers 34, which construction is more fully set forth in my said pendingapplication. For the purposes of this case it is only further necessary to state that the clearance between the pinions 38 and the washers 34, which are held in fixed positions above and below the particular group, is such that whenever a predetermined number of steps of movement, equal tothe number ef candidates who may be properly elected er nominated for the particular oflice, have been imparted the said washers act as stops to lock the pinions and hubs of that group against further movements.

The specific description so far given is the same or substantially the same as that given in my pending-application above identified, and the same reference characters have been used to identify corresponding parts.

Pfw'zg/-sclect'zfng vmecltavrzlwr.-*To the upper end of vertical rock-shafts a are rigidly sccured crank-like heads (d, having, as shown, arms 02. These shafts a are suitably journaled in the frame-brackets 7, and to each is rigidly secured a lock-blade a3, as shown, secured thereto by set-screws 01. Normally one of these lock-blades stands in front of the shoulders 26 of each vertical column of actuating-slides 22 in a position to lock the said slides in their normal positions and against movements into their Lset positions. Operating plungers or links Y) are pivotally attached to the crank-heads a', and similar operating-plungers c are pivotally attached to the arms a2 thereof. The outer ends of the said case.

IOO

and c are formed with threaded seats that are adapted to receive stems of detachable fingerknobs f, which' knobs in Figs. 2 and 3 are shown as applied to the said plungers b, so that they may be reached by a person standing in position to cast his vote by the manipulation of the acting slides 22.

A limiting device, as shown, in the form of a chain g is anchored at its ends to the upper side portions of the case and extends transversely of the actuating-plungers and preferably through bifurcations Z22 thereof. This limiting device may take many different forms and might be made up of a plurality of sliding parts having only a limited play. Each plunger is provided within its bifurcation b2 with a small wheel b3, that engages the chain g. On each side of each plunger /t the chain g is engaged by small resistance-wheels r, shown as mounted in small brackets z, secured on the upper portion of the case 1.

The slack in the chain g is such that only one of the plungers b may be removed from its normal position (indicated by full lines in Figs. 3 and 5) into the position indicated by the dotted lines in said views. This movement of a plunger b carries the corresponding lock-blade a3 into an inoperative position and releases the actuating-slides 22 of the corresponding vertical column, so that any one of the said slides of that column may be moved into a set position, subject only to the control of the vote-limiting mechanism already described. The actuating slides of the other vertical columns will then of course be locked against movement, so that the voter can vote only four candidates of a political party represented by the released vertical column of actuators.

It sometimes happens that a particular political party will have a very large number of candidates, so that it will require more than one Vertical column of actuating slides to represent the same. In this case it is possible to use two vertical columns for the candidates of such political party, and this is preferably accomplished by means of a coupling-link fm, pivotally attached to the two crank-heads d, as shown in Fig. 5.

When it is desired to have the party-selecting device within control of the voter, the knobs f should be applied to the ends of the plungers band exposed at the front of the machine, as shown in the drawings; but when it is desirable to have the party-selecting device within the control of an election judge or attendant the said knobs f should be applied to the ends of the plungers c, where they will be exposed at the rear o'f the machine. As is evident, the same action is produced by pulling out one of the plungers c that is produced by pulling out the corresponding plunger b.

To prevent accidental movements of the party-selecting devices, the plungers are shown as provided with V-shaped notches bf,

that engage yieldingly with latch-clips b5, secured on the case l, as shown in Fig. 2.

By means clearly set forth in my pending' .application above identified the restoring-bars 46 are moved rearward and upward to restore to normal positions such of the actuating-slides 22 as may have been set. In this application such movements of the restoring-bars 4:6 are caused to reset or return to normal position the party -selecting device. The device for accomplishing this result is best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein the character p indicates a gravity -suspended lever pivoted at p to a bracket p2, secured to the upper portion of the case l. The lower end of this lever p lies in the path of movement of the upper end of the corresponding restoring-bar 46, and at its intermediate portion it is provided with a laterally-projecting lug p3, that is adapted to engage the arm u? of the corresponding crankhead a to force the said crank-head and the corresponding lock-blade (t3 back into its normal locking position whenever the said restoring-bar 46 and restoring-lever p are moved into their extreme upper positions. (Indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6.) As shown, the lug` p3 and a portion of the lever p work through a slot p* in the supporting-bracket p2.

That I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers, register-actuators, and votelimiting mechanism appropriated to different political parties, of party-selecting mechanism comprising lock devices normally standing in position to lock said register-actuators, and means whereby the movement of one of said lock devices into a released position will secure the other lock devices which are appropriated to different political parties, in their locking positions, substantially as described.

2. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers, register-actuators, and votelimiting mechanism appropriated to different political parties, of party-selecting mechanism comprising lock devices normally standing in such positions as to positively lock all of said register-actuators, and means whereby the movement of a lock device which coperates with the register-actuators appropriated to one political party, will positively secure all lock devices appropriated to different political parties in their locking positions, substantially as described.

3. In a voting-machine, the combination with several series of registers and registeractuators appropriated to different political parties and subgrouped for different ofces, of votelimiting mechanism cooperating with said actuators, and party-selecting mechanism comprising locks normally positioned to lock the actuators of the several series with which they cooperate, and a releasing device for each lock, extending to two distant points, as to the front and rear of the machine, and

IOO

IIO

means whereby the movement of one of said lock devices into a releasing position, will secure all of the other lock devices in their locking positions, substantially as described.

4:. In a voting-machine, the combination with several series of registers, and registeractuators, appropriated to diHerent political parties, and subgrouped for different offices, of vote-limiting mechanism cooperating with said actuators, and party-selecting mechanism for rendering inoperative all of the actuators except those appropriated to the party selected, and having actuating devices extending both to the front and to the rear of the machine, substantially as described.

5. In a voting-machine, the combination with several series of registers and registeractuators, appropriated to dii'erent political parties and subgrouped for different offices, of vote-limiting'mechanism cooperating with said actuators, and party-selecting mechanism having actuators extending both to the front and to the rear of the machine, and provided with detachable knobs or finger-pieces, applicable to the ends either of the forwardly or rearwardly projecting' selector-actuators, at will, substantially as described.

6. In a voting-machine, the combination with several series of registers and registeractuators, appropriated to different political parties, and subgrouped for the different offices, of vote-limiting mechanism coperating with said actuators, and party-selecting' mechanism comprising lock-blades, normally locking the several series of actuators, lockblade actuators extending from said lockblades to within reach of an operator, and means for locking in normal positions all of said lock-blades except the first to be moved by its actuator, substantially as described.

7. In a voting-machine, the combination with several series of registers and registeractuators, appropriated to different political parties, and subgrouped for the different ofhces, of vote-limiting mechanism coperating with said actuators, and party-selecting' mechanism, comprising a pivoted lock-blade for each series of actuators, normally locking the same, plungers eccentrically connected to said lock-blades for moving them into releasing position, and means actuated by the first of said plungers to be moved for locking all of the other plungers, and their corresponding loch-blades, in locking positions, substantially as described.

8. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers, register-actuators, and votelimiting mechanism appropriated to different political parties, of party-selecting mechanism comprising loclrs for the actuators appro- 'priated to the different political parties, loclactuating connections extending to different points of the machine, as, for instance, to front and rear thereof, and provided attheir outer ends with removable knobs or sections which, when removed, render them inaccessible to the operator, substantially as described.

9. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers, register-actuators, and votclimiting mechanism, of party-selecting mechanism comprising' pivoted lock-blades for the actuators appropriated to different political parties, operating-plurigers eccentrically connected in pairs to said lock-blades, and extending one to the front and the other to the rcar of the machine, and provided at their outer ends with interchangeable iinger pieces, a limiting connection extending transversely of certain of said plungers and subject thereto, and to relatively fixed guides, said connection having only such slack as to permit the Inovement of one lock-blade. substantially as described.

10. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers and registeractuators, and vote-limiting mechanism appropriated to different political parties, of party selecting' mechanism comprising lock-blades for thc actuators appropriated to different political parties, plungers eccentrically connected to said lock-blades, and provided with wheels relatively iixed guide-wheels on opposite sides of the said wheels D, and a chain g, anchored at its ends, passed between said wheels 7; and 7n, and having only suliicient slack to permit the movement of one plunger and its connected lock-blade, substantially as described.

l1. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers and register-actuators appropriated to different political parties, of votelimiting mechanism and actuator-restoring devices, and party-selecting mechanism comprising lock-blades and actuating' connections therefor, and which lock-blades are arranged to be restored to normal positions by said register-actuator-rcstoring devices, substantially as described.

l2. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers and register-actuators appropriated to different political parties, of votclimiting mechanism, actuator-restoring bars, and party-selecting mechanism, comprising pivoted lock-blades standing in position to normally loclr the actuators, appropriated to different political parties, actuating connections extending from said lock-blades to within reach of an operator, and a lock-blade-restoring leverfor each loch-blade, subject to said register-actuator-restoring bar, substantially as described.

13. In a voting-machine, the combination with registers and register-actuators appropriated to different political parties, of votclimiting mechanism, actuator-restoring bars L16 mounted on parallel linlis 47, and partyselecting mechanism com prising pivoted lochblades as normally standing' in position to loclr said registeractuators and provided with crank-like heads, actuating-plungers eccentrically connected to the heads of said loclr- IOO IIO

blades, and pivoted blade-restoring levers p,

subject to said restoring-bars 46 and operat-` together for common movements, connections for moving said lock-blades, and means cop- I5 @rating with said connections for causing the initial movement of one blade, or coupled blades, to secure the other lock blade or blades against movement, substantially as described.

1n testimony whereof I aix mysignature in 2O presence of two Witnesses.

SYVER LOE.

Vitnesses:

H. D. KILGoRn, ROBERT C. MABEY. 

